Garment steaming and drying buck



March 24, 1931. r F. N.BEEDE GARMEN'E STEAMING AND DRYING BUCK Filed Jan. 28, 1929 .4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mir/V555 V Arr/1R EYE March 24, 1931, N BEEDE GARMENT STEAMING AND DRYING BUCK ATTUR'INEYS' March 24, 1931. D m 1,797,814

- GARMENT STEAMING AND DRYING BUCK Filed Jan. 28, 1929 4 Sheets-Shet 3 TDRNEYS /YV y March 24, 1931. BEEDE GARMENT STEAMING AND DRYING BUCK Filed Jan. 28, 1929 4 Sheeis-Sheet 4 M'r/vEss 7 Patented Mar. 24, 1931 FREDERIG NEWMAN BEEDE, OF PAWTUCKET, RHQDE ISLAND GARMENT STEAMIN G AND DRYING BUCK Application filed January 28, 1929. Serial No. 335,615.

This invention relates to a garment steaming and drying buck adapted to be used indi vidually or in connection with a garment pressing machine for moistening, softenin 5 and sterilizing various kinds of garment fa rics preparatory to pressing, shaping and drying the same.

These bucks are usually elongated in one direction and supported in a substantially 10 horizontal position at any convenient height and by any suitable means to enable the work to be placed upon the upper surface and around the marginal edges thereof preparatory to steaming, shaping and drying without removing the work from the buck.

The articles to be treated are usually brought to the machine in a more or less dry condition and must be moistened to some degree sufficient to render the fabric pliable preparatory to shaping and pressing, the

moisteninlg being preferably performed by the distri ution of steam from the interior through relatively small perforations or exits in the top of the buck while the drying V operation is preferably effected by withdrawing the steam or moistened vapor and air from above through the garment and thence through separate'perforations in the top of the buck to the interior thereof by means of any conventional type of exhaust device, not shown.

I have found that even though the steam is liberated through the exits in a relatively small area or narrow zone in the topof the 5 buck it instantly expands with substantially .equal force in all directions through" the fabric aided more or less by capillary circulation of the moist vapor through the fabric of the pad and garment and one of the objects of this invention is to confineand dissipate these forces within the marginal edges of the buck and thereby to reduce to a minimum the escape of live steam and excess moisture beyond said marginal edges.

I On the other hand, I have found that if a relatively small area or narrow zone of the top of the buck is provided with preforations and these perforations communicate with an underlying chamber in which a partial vacu- 0 um is produced or maintained, the atmospheric air contacting with all exposed portions of the fabric articles ,will be drawn through all portions of the fabric toward and 7 through the perforations and that this intermingling of the inrushing air with the moisture in the fabric rapidly takes up such moisture and causes it to be simultaneously exhausted with the air to a waste pipe or other receiver more or less remote from the machines.

One of the objects of-the present invention, therefore, is to provide the top of the buck with separate sets or systems of erforations communicating respectively wlth an underlying steam-distributing chamber and a separate vacuum chamber or chambers whereby the steam may be distributed to the garment through one set of perforations for' purposes while atmospheric air' rawn through the garment andmoistenin may be through the other set 0 perforations into the vacuum chamber for, drying purposes thus permitting the steaming operation and the drying operations to be carried on simultaneously or independently of each other.

Another object is to extend the vacuum chamber entirely around the side and end wallsof the steaming chamber so that the heat radiating from said walls may be trans- .o a r mitted to the inflowing air into the vacuum chamber to increase its avidity for moisture and thereby to expedite the withdrawal of the steam vapor and moisture ofcondensation resulting from the steaming operation and effecting a quick drying of said garment immediately following the steaming operation.

Another object is to provide the buck with a steam-heated chamber underlying the major portions of the first-named chambers but separated therefrom by an intervening partition wall adapted to increase the temperature of the steam in the. distributing chamber and also to heat the inflowing air to the vacuum chamber for additionally increasing its avidity for moisture. I

In other words, the primary object of the steam heated chamber in the particularrelation to the steam distributing chamber and vacuum chamber is to reduce the moisture or buck embodying the various features of my invention.

t Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken in the plane of line 2-2, Figure 1'.

Figures '3 and 4 are horizontal sectional views tak respectively in the planes of lines 3-3 and Figure 2. n

Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8am enlarged'transverse vertical sectional views taken respectively in the planes of lines 55, 6-6, 77

I and 8-8, Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view,

' similar to Figure 3, showing a slightly modified relative'arrangement of the steam-distributing chamber and vacuum chamber.

Figure 10 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional viewtaken in the plane of line 10-10, Figure 9,. except that the perforated top plate is in operative position; V

As illustrated, the buck, shown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, comprises a hollow body -1 of cast metal or other suitable material adapted to be supported in a substantially horizontal position and preferably elongated in I one direction and tapered from end to end,

the opposite ends being preferably rounded as shown in the drawings to enable the buck to be used for steaming, and shaping trousers, skirts, coats, vests and other articles of wearing apparel. i

The hollow body 1-- is provided with a relatively shallow heating chamber --2- sub stantially coextensive with the horizontal area thereof and provided with a steam inlet opening. 3- in the bottomthercof near one end for receiving live steam from any available source'of supply and maintaining the temperature of the buck at approximately the temperature of the live steam for purposes hereinafter morefully described, the steam inlet opening being shown more clearly in Figures 2 and4.

The lower and upper walls of the heating chamber are united by a central lengths wise partition, -.-4, Figure 4, extending the major portion of the length thereof but having its opposite ends terminating some distance from the corresponding end walls of the chambers to form connecting passages between the portions of the chamber at opposite sides of the partition and thus permitting free circulation. of the steam through the intervening spaces between the partition'and outer spaced intervals by connecting walls of the chamber and around both ends of the artition. 1 I T e portions of the chamber 2-- at opposite sides of the partition 4- are addition ally connected to each other at longitudinally passages 5- extending under the lower e ge of the adjacent portions of the partition as shown more clearly in Figures 2, 4, 7 and 8.

The lower and upper walls of the heating chamber '2 are also connected by a series of relatively small stays or tie pieces -6 arranged s *stematically in spaced relation in said cham r and preferably integral-with the lower end upper walls thereof and together with the partition 4- serve as a means of transmitting heat from the chamber to the top wall thereof for a purpose presently described.

The upper portion of the hollow member 1- is provided with a substantially central lengthwise steam distributing chamber 7 and a separate vacuum chamber 8-, both disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane directly over thenadjacent portions of the steam heated chamber 2 but separated therefrom by the top wall of the heating chamber which also forms the bottom wall of the steam-distributing and vacuum chambers, as shown more clearly inFigures 5 to 8 inclusive.

The chamber 7- is substantially rectangular and extends the major portion of the length .of the buck, said steam-distributing chamber being bounded by walls 7' extending along both sides and both ends thereof and in spaced relation to the corresponding outer marginal walls of the vacuum chamber '8 so as to allow free circulation 'of-air and moistened vapor entirely around the steaming chamber.

That is, the vacuum chamber 8 extends entirely around the boundary walls of the steam -distributing chamber -7- and is, in turn, bounded by the outer marginal walls 8- of the buck, as shown more clearly in Figure 3.

The bottom of the heating chamber near the larger end of the buck and therefore near the steam inlet -3 in depressed at 9- to form a sump chamber into which the water of condensation from all parts of the chamber -2 is adapted to drain, said sump chamber being provided in its bottom with a drainage outlet -10 adapted to be connected toa waste or other receiver for carrying the water of condensation away from the buck, it" being understood that the remaining portionsof the bottom of the chamber '-2 are inclined from the small end of the buck toward the sump 9 to'facilitate said drainage. 1

The bottom of the steam-distributing chamber 7 is provided near one end (preferably near the larger end of the buck) with a the bottom wall steam inlet passage 11 adaptedto be connected to any available source of steam supply under the control of the operator for delivering steam into said chamber for supplying the necessary moisture to the articles 12- being provided with an exhaust passage -1 3 extending downwardly through the bottom of the body 1, as shown 1n Figures 2, 4 and 6, and adapted to be connected to any suitable suction device, not shown, but capable of producing more or less partial vacuum in the chamber 8. v

The end of the partition 4 adjacent the larger end of the buck is preferably enlarged or widened at 4'- to embrace the transverse passagerl2 and suction passage -13'and serves to cut ofl" communication between the heating chamber -2 and passages -l2-'- and -13 as shown more clear- 3, said c ly in Figures 2 and 4.

he upper portion of the hollow member -1-- is also provided with an additional rel atively narrow rectangular vacuum chamber 14 extendihg along the longitudinal center thereof and having its boundary walls 14' in-spaced relation to the correspond-' .in boundary walls 7'- of the steam-distri utin chamber .7-, as shown in Figure fiamber 14 being preferably disposed directly over the partit1on 4 and in open communication with the passages 12-' and 13 so that the same suction pipe 13 may be used to simultaneously withdraw air and moisture through and from the garment into both of the chambers 8 and 14, see Figures 2 and 6.

The outer lengthwise portions of the bottom of the heating chamber adjacent the side walls of the chamber are formed with lengthwise grooves 15- having their bottom portions inclined downwardly toward the larger end of the buck for the purpose of draining- -1 andjupper faces of the boundary walls 7 and 14' of the chambers 7 and 14 respectively are disposed in substantially the same transversely curved are some "with the steam distributing c throughout its surface area for receiving and supporting the work or a suitable pad, not shown, but upon which'the work maybe supported. I

The bottom wall of the vacuum chamber 8-'- is provided with a multiplicity of 'rela- 'tively small stays or bosses --18-, in systematically spaced relation for additionally supporting the overlying portions of the plate -16 and also serving, to transmit heat from the top wall of the heating chamber -2 to the top plate and to the air which may be drawn into the vacuum chamber for increasing its avidity for moisture.

The construction, shown intFigures'9 and 10, is very similar to that previously described cxcept that the steam distributing chamber as 7+ is relatively narrower and that the central lengthwise vacuum chamber .14 and its marginal walls 14' are) omitted thereby increasing the area of the vacuum chamberv,\8-. Otherwise the description of the construction and. operation shown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive applies to Figures 9 and 10. I i

This top plate lfie is provided with separate sets or systems of perforations.

19 and 19'-- registering respectively and with the vacuum chambers 8 and 14 whereby steam may be projected through the perforations --19 to the work under treatment while air and moisturemay be drawn through the perforations 1-9' 119 I for drying purposes. 2

That is, the portions of the plate 16 overlying the steam distributing chamber 7 is provided with one set of perforations through which the steam for. moistening purposes may be applied to the garment or other work supported upon the plate.

On the other hand, the portions of the 'plate 16 overlying the vacuum chambers 8' and 14- are provided with 120 separate sets of perforations through which atmospheric air and moistened vapor from the garment may be drawn into the vacuum chamber and thence out-through the suction 4 passage 13- byc'the suction" device, not

shown. I 3 a y This relative arrangement of the steam distributing chambers and vacuum -ch ambers and also the relative disposition ofthe different sets of perforations forqtho'se chambers amber -7-- 105 permits the simultaneous steaming and drying of the garment of the operations of steaming and drying may becarried on independently of each other or in succession, as may be most expedient.

The important feature of the invention is, however, that the steam-distributing chamber and steam exits leading therefrom for moistening purposes are confined to a relatively narrow zone some distance inwardly from the marginal edges of the buck so that the expansive force of the steam entering the'pad or garment or both will be gradually dissipated before reaching the marginal edges of the buck While the moisture of the steam will be rapidly taken up by the pad or garment through capillary force orcirculation thereby reducing to a minimum the liability of escape of live, steam at the marginal edges of the buck and at the same time preventing excessive accumulations of moisture of condensation alongthe edges of the pad or garment which is particularly true when the buck is used as one of the plrl'essing elements of a garment pressing mac me.

' This restriction if the lateral pasage of.

the live steam and excessive accumulations of moisture at the marginal edges of the pad or garment is further augmented by reason of the relatively large vacuum area surrounding the steaming area and by the fact that the heat produced by the underlying heating chamber is transmitted not only to the steamdistributing chamber for rarefying the steam and thereby reducing the moisture of the steam applied to the garment but also serves to rarefy the air in the vacuum chamber thus increasing its avidity for-moisture so that when the vacuum chamber is placed under more or less vacuum the moisture laden air is instantly withdrawn therefrom allowing fresh air to flow in through the. garment and pad to additionally accelerate the drying of said garment and pad.

It is, of course, understood that the automatic drainage of water of condensation from the heating chamber into the sump chamber 'andthence through the drainage outlet permits the steam within said chamher to maintain a maximum temperature which, in turn, is transmitted to the steamdistributing chamber and to the vacuum chamber through the interposed dividing wall, all of which contributes to the economi (:11 use of the steam for moistening purposes I and to the rapidity of drying through the medium of the vacuum chamber.

It will be evident thatvmore or less change may be made in the detail construction of the various parts of the buck'without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What I claim is: 1. In a garment pressing machine, a buck having a steam distributing chamber and a separate vacuum chamber extending along opposite sides of the steam-distributing chamber, and a top plate covering both chambers and provided with separate sets of perforations for their respective chambers.

2. In a garment pressing machine, a buck having a steam distributing chamber and a separate vacuum chamber extending around the sides and ends of the steam-distributing chamber, each chamber having its top wall provided with a separate set of perforations.

3. In a garment pressing machine, a buck having asteam distributing chamber and a separate vacuum chamber in 'substantiallythe :same plane as the steam-distributing chamher, said chambers having top walls provided respectively with steam exits and separate air inlets.

4. In a garment pressing machine, a buck same lane and non-communicating,

-6. n a garment pressing machine, a buck having a steam distributing chamber, and a separate vacuum chamber in the same plane as the steam-distributing chamber, said chambers having a dividing wall extending around the sides and ends of the steam distributing chamber.

7. In a garment pressing machine, a buck having separate non-communicating chambers in substantially the same plane and each provided with a perforated top wall, one of said chambers being extended along the outer sides "of the other chamber, said buck having a heating chamber underlying the first chamher and having its top wall forming the bot? It)om wall of bothof said first-named chamers.

8. A steaming board or buck having a lengthwise steaming chamber provided with a perforated top wall for the exit of steam, said buck having a vacuum chamber extending along opposite sides of the steaming chamber and providedwith a perforated top walls for the inlet of air, and a passage connecting thevacuum chambers and extending under'the steaming chamber.

9. A pressing-machine buck having a heating chamber, extending the major portions of its length and width, said buck having a steam distributing chamber overlying the heating chamber substantially midway between the outermarginal walls thereof and provided with steam exits in its top wall, said buck having a vacuum chamber overlying the major'portions of the heating chamber and provided with a perforated top wall forthe therefrom by an intervening wall, said heatinlet of air. ing chamber having its bottom wall inclined 10. A pressing machine buck having a reladownwardly from one end toward the oppotively narrow steam distributing chamber site' end and provided with a dralnage out- 5 along its longitudinal center and provided let at its lowest point. With a perforated top wall for the exit of In witness whereof I have hereunto set steam, a vacuum chamber of considerably -my hand this 27th day of December, 1928. greater area than and extending entirely FREDERIC NEWMAN 'BEEDE. around the sides andends of the steam-dis- I 10 tributing chamber and provided with a perforated top wall for the inlet of air, and a steam-heated chamber underlying both of the first-named chambers and separated there- ,from by an intervening wall. r

15 11. A pressing machine buck having a V relatively narrow steam distributing'chamher along its longitudinal center and provided with a perforated top wall for the exit of steam, a vacuum chamber of considerably 20 greater area than and extending entirely around the sides and ends of the steam-distributing chamber and provided with a perforated top wall for the inlet of air, and a steam-heated chamber underlying both of 25 the first-named chambers and separated Y therefrom by an intervening wall, said heating chamber having a portion of its bottom wall depressed below its remaining portions and provided with a drainage outlet.

3 12. A pressing machine buck having a relatively narrow steam distributingchamber along its longitudinal center and a relatively wider vacuum chamber extending alongopposite sides and around the ends of 5 the steam-distributing chamber, said chams v I bers being disposed side by side in about the same plane and a plate secured to the buck across the upper sides of both of said chambers and provided with separate sets 40 of perforations, one set for each chamber.

13. A'pressing machine buck having a relatively narrow steam distributing chamber along its longitudinal center and a relatively wider vacuum chamber extending along op- 45 posite sides and around the ends of the steam- V a distributing chamber, and a plate secured to the buck across the upper sides of both of said chambers and provided with separate sets of perforations, one set for each chamber,

50 the bottom wall of the vacuum chamber being i x i provided with a series of upwardly projecting posts in spaced relation and in contact with said plate for additionally supporting the same and-for transmitting heat thereto. as 14. A pressing machine. buck having a relatively narrow steam distributing chamber along its longitudinal center and provided with a perforated top wall for the exit of steam, a vacuum chamber of considerably 0 greater area than and extending entirely r 1 around the sides and ends of the steam-distributing chamber and provided with a perforated top wall for the inlet of air'and a steam-heated chamber underlying both of s the first-named chambers and separated 

